LYLE —It didn’t result in a win, but the Lyle-Pacelli boys basketball team showed some positive signs on Monday night in Lyle. The Athletics became just the fourth team this season to play within 40 points of Spring Grove as they lost 74-59 to the No. 2 ranked Lions (12-1 overall, 10-0 SEC).

LP had lost 71-30 to SG in the season opener Nov. 30.

“We woke up tonight. We decided to play and its shows how we can play,” said LP senior Jordan Cotter. “It’s a real confidence booster.”

LP (9-6 overall, 7-4 SEC) was within 25-23 with 3:45 left in the first half when Noah Jiskra scored four straight points, but the Lions closed out the first half on a 12-2 run. The Athletics got as close as 48-40 with 12:30 left in the game, but they couldn’t keep pace with SG.

“I was pleased with our performance. We played extremely well,” LP head coach Scott Koenigs said. “We just didn’t quit and we battled. I thought our guys played hard and it was one of our better games. If we continue to build on tonight’s performance, I think we can beat anybody in our sub-section.”

The first time LP played SG, the Athletics struggled with ball control as turnovers caught up to them. On Monday, they showed they could handle SG’s pressure.

Braden Kocer led LP with 21 points.

“They’re ball pressure is one of the best in the state and they really get after you,” Kocer said. “Everyone just calmed down tonight. We slowed down and played to the best of our abilities.”

SG 37 37 — 74

LP 25 24 — 59

LP scoring: Braden Kocer, 21; Jordan Cotter, 11; Noah Jiskra, 12; Trinity Anderson, 8; Jed Nelson, 4; Lee Bauer, 2; Nathan Drees, 1